Mauer Has 4 RBIs to Head Twins Over Orioles, 6-4

Minnesota Twins' Joe Mauer triples in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, in Baltimore. Danny Santana and Brian Dozier scored on the play. (Photo: AP)

BALTIMORE (AP) - Joe Mauer drove in four runs, Phil Hughes held Baltimore without an earned run over eight innings and the Minnesota Twins beat the Orioles 6-4 Monday to avoid a four-game sweep.

Nelson Cruz hit his major-league leading 36th home run and Nick Hundley had a three-run shot for the AL East-leading Orioles, who lost for only the second time in eight games.

Mauer tripled in two runs in the sixth inning and added a two-run single in the eighth to put Minnesota ahead for good.

Hughes (15-9) gave up five hits, no walks and three unearned runs. The right-hander has allowed one earned run or fewer in five of his last six starts.

Glen Perkins gave up a leadoff homer to Cruz in the ninth before getting three straight outs for his 33rd save.